Do I really need Fluid Film?

Hi all... First post here... please take it easy on me

I just bought a 2020 Tacoma about a month ago and have since started modifications, preventative maintenance, etc. in the last few weeks.

One of the things I see mentioned so frequently on these forums is the topic of fluid film / rust prevention on the underbody. I am not new to Toyota ownership (was gifted a 1996 MT Tacoma when I turned 16) so I know that the frames are prone to rust. However - I live on the gulf coast where we haven't seen snow in nearly half a decade, and therefore the roads never get salted. The truck has been southern-owned and the frame doesn't have a spec of rust on it.

Do I really need to be concerned about rust prevention and applying fluid film to the bottom of my Taco? I want to take good care of it but don't want to waste time / money on preventative maintenance that is unnecessary. Any input is appreciated, thanks.

 

It depends where you live.


It was not needed in my area until the idiots at WA DoT switched to salt a couple winters ago. Idiots . . .

 

When I bought my 21' Taco I asked this question. This is what I determined: For me, it isn't necessary or needed. I live in Central Texas, where it barely snows and they almost NEVER salt the roads....even when it does snow. Thus, no need to coat it with fluid film.

I do pressure wash the frame & underneath the truck twice a year though. To get all the dirt/grime off it.

 

By Gulf coast do you mean right near or on the coast? Because even in dry climates like out here in CA where you typically don't ever worry about rust, vehicles in communities near the ocean do have to take precaution. The salty air takes it's toll

 

Welcome.

It will help and never a bad idea.

Myself, living in Central TX, have never had an issue with rust on any vehicle I've owned

 

I'm in west Mobile, AL, so roughly 40 miles from the beach. Far enough that the air isn't salty, but close enough that I do make several dozen trips a year down there. SO yes I encounter the occasional salty air / salty puddle you could say.

 

IMO if you aren't seeing heavy road salt fluid film is pointless. Just keep up with washing your truck and should never have an issue.

 

I don't know if you need to go so far as to fluid film it, but I would make sure you take care to rinse the underside after trips down that way.

 

I used to live in the rust belt so I always used to coat with fluid film every year. If they're salting your roads regularly, I'd say its a must.
If they aren't salting the roads I'd say it's optional. Even then with no salt I wouldn't worry much about the outside of the frame. I still think it's a good idea for the inside the boxed portions of the frame. I'd probably only do it once though, not every year. I still have fluid film inside the boxed and harder to get to parts of my frame that hasn't seemed to wear off at all even after multiple years.

 

If you don’t need it and do any sort of work on your vehicle, don’t use it.

My truck started out in Utah and I fluid filmed the first couple years until I moved. Anytime I worked on it it was a greasy/smelly mess.

Then I moved to CA and live about a mile from the beach. I haven’t really noticed much rust and if I do it’s just minor surface stuff I don’t really care about.

Then I took a one week trip to Utah during one winter. My truck was destroyed. Rust on everything.

So use it if you live in a city that salts roads during winter or maybe if you live right on the coast with no garage. Otherwise I wouldnt bother.

 

I wouldn't avoid it just because you wok on your truck. It's called Fluid "Film" for a reason...your truck shouldn't be a greasy/smelly mess. You literally just need a film. It shouldn't be so messy that it makes working on your truck an issue.

You are right that if you don't live somewhere that kills vehicles with rust that you don't need to bother. At most I'd clean up and/or spot treat any rust spots.

 

Right. I didn’t say avoid it because it’s messy (unless you just pick out one sentence). I said if you don’t need it don’t use it because it’s messy.

If you’ve used it and then working on your truck a week or so later if you aren’t getting any of it on your hands, you didn’t use it. It’s a film of oil/sheep grease. It transfers to your hands very easily.

 

Id say its not needed, you could have the boxed in segments of the frame done, that won't make a mess and it won't wash off in there so it would be a one and done kind of thing, thats were the worst and unseen rust happens. Apart from that I would just look at it occasionally and if you start getting some rust go ahead and FF it then.

 

I’d spray down the front boxed sections and the rear leaf spring hangers with salt killer and rinse then spray on this shit do the floor under your seat, too

 

you have a 40-50,000 dollar automobile. not coating the metal parts at least once, wherever you live, to protect your investment, from corrosion, just doesnt make sense, to me. when vehicles were 3-5000 sure, now pushing the 100k envelope for full sized trucks... not a chance for me, I am coating it. the manufacturing process, creates voids, heat, etc... dirt, sand, dust, gravel, make chips, and act like sand paper on seams. just take the time and the 150 bucks and do it. if not, dont cry to us, your dealer, or toyota, that it started rusting. Ski

 

In the old days we would just spray used motor oil on the underside and drive down a dirt road. It was cheap and did a good job. Maybe fluid film is cheap though. Never really looked since I live in Norcal.

 

$10 to $12 a can here. Clear/tan, black

 

Wool wax is better. I switched from fluid film

 

Try Surface Shield from PB Blaster next time... might make you switch again. Ski

 

Not necessarily in Alabama.